Nation
Terrorists Control Villages, Collect Taxes In Borno, Residents Confirm
Security sources and locals residing in communities outside most of the local government areas in northern and some other parts of central and southern Borno State have revealed that there are still towns and villages under the control of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram and Islamic State for West African Province also known as ISWAP.
A resident of Maiduguri, Sani Adam Malumfatori, said that, “These local government areas include: Abadam, Gwoza, Guzamala, Kalabalge, Magumeri, Gubio, Marte, Damasak and Dikwa in Borno State as well as Yunusari and Gaidam in Yobe State”.
It was gathered that people living those villages or crossing from one town to another or from one local government to another still pay taxes to the terrorists who normally block the roads against travellers.”
He said although local government headquarters seem secured, the same cannot be said of towns and villages under them.
International NGO officials working in Borno State have also said that there are areas, particularly in the northern Borno and the Lake Chad area where activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP is still showing red and they are not expected to carry out any activity there for the safety and security of aid workers.
He said, those areas are “no-go areas.
“Despite the fact that there are no incidents in Maiduguri, the non-state actors have been very much active outside Maiduguri. There are hundreds of people in need of food and medications that cannot be reached particularly in the Lake Chad region due to the increasing activities of AOG (armed opposition group),” a security official with one of the INGO in Borno said.
Earlier this month, ISWAP, which broke out from the mother body – Boko Haram in 2016, declared that a new union of ISWAP-Boko Haram terrorists’ group has reshuffled its leadership and structures.
This followed the death of some top commanders in a battle with the Nigerian military who are currently on clearance operations in most towns and villages across Borno State.
According to the sources with close information about the group, “the leadership ‘restructuring’ was in line with a directive from ISIS headquarters in Iraq, which was resulted from the recent losses of some of ISWAP-Boko Haram commanders to military offensives and the realignment of forces by the hitherto separate insurgents groups.”
There were also videos being circulated to the effect that the two warring groups in northeast Nigeria have come together to pursue a common cause.
Their fighters carrying AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons have spoken in such videos, and have warned residents and other religions in the region.
The terrorist’s organization has also claimed to have in their restructuring, appointed governors to rule some areas of their occupation.
The Lake Chad region was one of such places a governor was said to have been appointed by the group to govern.
Situation within Borno State has degenerated recently due to the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP.
The state, for example, has been in total darkness in the last six months owing to the destruction of lines supplying electricity to the state by terrorists.
Last Monday, Chairman of the Borno State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Usman Mahdi Badari decried the level of inflation and insecurity in the state while with the state working committee, calling on the authorities to do the needful to save the state.
A member of the ruling party, APC, in Borno State, Adam Guzamala, said that his local government area is still under the occupation of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram/ISWAP.
“All you need to know that all is not well is to go round the IDP camps and ask yourself why the people are still in the camp. I believe this is also the reason the government is doing everything possible to see that no camp remains in Maiduguri.
“However, you can ask questions again: are these people being returned to their towns and villages or are they being kept still in camps within the local government headquarters? This is politics, but it is unfortunate doing it with the lives of the common man,” he said.
Tijjani Kachallah, a resident of Rann in KalaBalge Local Government Area of Borno State said, while it is true that terrorists had claimed to appoint a governor in the Lake Chad region, it will be apolitical for the governor of Borno State to agree with such claims.
“Even if I am the governor, I will not agree to any statement depicting a situation such as we have at hand. Zulum is the governor of Borno State. If Boko Haram has their own governor, it is not the governor of Borno State and they can have their own Boko Haram governor; after all, they never claimed to pay allegiance to constituted authority,” Kachallah said.
A military commander, who is not authorized to speak openly said that, whatever the position of the Borno State governor in reacting to the questions about the claim of ISWAP, is a position any political leader will take.
“However, that is not to say that these bad elements are not in operation in the state. That is why the military is still fighting them and I assure you, we are winning the battle and the war. This is not something I can tell you will end today or tomorrow. You have been reporting this conflict for over a decade and I need not to educate you on what is going on,” he said.
A political analyst in Borno State, Modu Moromti, said that, “We have not been experiencing bombs and gunshots in Maiduguri like before, but life outside the state capital has not been easy for our people. Normally, if a governor visits a local government, a town or a village in the state, you will see a crowd of people following him, particularly children. That can only happen in a time of peace.
“Today, the governor can travel anywhere within areas of conflict, but you can only see the crowd when he goes to share food in the IDP camps and not on a normal street. When he goes to the street; I don’t know whether you have been observing the photos of the governor in circulation. All you see is the governor and his few aides and the military who are giving him protection. This is not the situation in times of peace. However, politically speaking, I am 100% with the Borno State governor’s position in reaction to questions you journalists are asking.”
Moromti also said that the claims that informed the reaction by the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum was not looked at deeply.
“ISWAP in the said reports did not claim to have appointed a governor over Borno State. They said they have appointed a governor to oversee their activities within the Lake Chad region. Even the outlaws have a certain respect for constituted authority. And of course, Zulum cannot oversee the activities of terrorists. He can only ensure that they are brought to justice for the activities they are carrying out in the Lake Chad region, which is against the law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he added.
The Nigerian Army has passed out 384 female soldiers of the 90 Regular Recruit Intake (90 RRI) following the successful completion of Exercise SHINING STAR 2026 in Giri, Abuja.
In a post shared on the Nigerian Army’s X handle, yesterday, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Nigerian Army Women Command, Giri, Abuja, Major Nsima Essien, said the passing-out ceremony was held on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI), Giri, with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, represented by Major General Umar Gital Yusuf, as the Guest of Honour.
In his address, the Army Chief commended the female personnel for their dedication, resilience, discipline and commitment throughout the training exercise.
He described the successful completion of the exercise as an important milestone in their military careers and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to developing a professional, disciplined and combat-ready force.
He urged the newly trained soldiers to uphold the values of teamwork, courage, loyalty and professionalism, while applying the knowledge and skills acquired during the exercise to their military duties.
Shaibu emphasised the importance of continuous training, physical fitness and operational preparedness in addressing contemporary security challenges before declaring the exercise closed.
Earlier, the Acting Commander of the Nigerian Army Women Command (NAWC), Colonel S. M. Ahmed, welcomed the special guest and other dignitaries to the ceremony.
Ahmed highlighted the significance of Exercise SHINING STAR 2026 in enhancing the physical fitness, military competence, discipline and operational readiness of the female personnel.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the authorities, instructors and other personnel whose efforts ensured the successful conduct of the exercise.
Highlights of the ceremony included obstacle-crossing demonstrations and weapons-handling exercises, during which the female soldiers demonstrated their ability to strip and assemble AK-47 rifles while blindfolded.
The demonstrations showcased the personnel’s physical endurance, confidence, weapons-handling skills and proficiency in basic military tasks.
“A total of 384 female personnel of the 90 RRI participated in the exercise, alongside 14 male personnel from the Headquarters, Directorate of Army Physical Training (HQ DAPT), and 70 male personnel from the 167 Special Forces Battalion, “ Ahmed said.
The ceremony attracted senior military officers from various units and formations, representatives of paramilitary agencies and other invited guests.
Eight male and female personnel who distinguished themselves during the exercise received awards presented by the Acting Commander of NAWC.
The event also featured a vote of thanks delivered by one of the beneficiaries, the presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph to commemorate the successful completion of the exercise.
The exercise forms part of the Nigerian Army’s efforts to strengthen personnel development, improve military competence and enhance operational readiness in response to the country’s evolving security challenges.
The organisation joined the global observance of the day under the theme, “International Day of the Girl Child: End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” with a sensitisation programme at Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike, D-Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Led by its Vice Chairperson, Daba Benebo, the group engaged the students in discussions on the dangers of early marriage, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and other challenges that threaten the education, safety and development of the girl child.
Speaking during the programme, Benebo urged the students to reject early marriage and remain focused on their studies, stressing that education would empower them to make informed decisions about their lives and future.
She cautioned the girls against allowing anyone to deprive them of their right to education and dignity, advising them to report cases of harassment, abuse and other violations of their rights to the appropriate authorities.
Benebo assured the students that SWS remained available to support them whenever they encountered violations of their rights.
She also encouraged them to maintain discipline and responsible conduct while avoiding behaviours that could expose them to negative influences and jeopardise their future.
Beyond formal education, the SWS vice chairperson urged the students to acquire vocational skills that could provide additional opportunities for economic independence and help them navigate future challenges.
The sensitisation programme, enlivened by singing, dancing and to share their views and experiences on issues affecting the girl child interactive sessions, provided an opportunity for the students to share their views and experiences on issues affecting the girl child.
One of the major issues raised during the discussion was the appropriate age for marriage. While some participants maintained that 18 years was the constitutionally approved age, the discussion highlighted the need to consider not only age but also the maturity, preparedness and responsibilities associated with marriage.
The speaker stressed that marriage required adequate mental and emotional preparation, as well as the capacity to shoulder its responsibilities.
She therefore advised the students to concentrate on acquiring a sound education before considering marriage, noting that education would equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to make responsible decisions and manage family life.
The issue of teenage pregnancy also featured prominently during the question-and-answer session.
In addressing the subject, the speaker explained that pregnancy could occur even at the age of 12, using the example to underscore the vulnerability of young girls to the consequences of early sexual activity.
She advised the students to avoid sexual intercourse and prioritise their education, personal safety and future aspirations.
The discussion also examined the difficulties some girls encounter when living with hostile spouses, relatives or guardians.
Benebo encouraged the students to cultivate patience, humility and diligence, noting that these qualities could help them navigate difficult situations and build a brighter future.
However, she warned that patience and humility should never be interpreted as an obligation to endure violence, abuse or degrading treatment.
She urged girls experiencing hostile or abusive living conditions to seek help from their parents, trusted adults or appropriate support services rather than remain in environments that could expose them to physical or emotional trauma.
“When such happens, please return to your parents and engage in petty trade or learn a skill to support your education rather than stay in a hostile environment,” Benebo stressed.
The programme also underscored the importance of protecting girls from early marriage and other harmful practices that can disrupt their education, compromise their well-being and limit their opportunities in life.
It also reinforced the need for families, schools, communities and relevant organisations to work together to ensure that girls have access to education, vocational training, protection and the support they need to realise their potential.
For SWS, the message was clear: empowering the girl child begins with protecting her rights, investing in her education and equipping her with the confidence and skills to make informed choices about her future.
Stories by Kevin Nengia
The initiative, established by former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Council, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, popularly known as Egberipapa, is designed to make transportation more accessible and affordable for residents across the Kalabari area.
The scheme was launched on Monday, October 12, 2026, and is expected to address longstanding transportation challenges confronting residents, particularly those in riverine and hard-to-reach communities.
Communities expected to benefit from the initiative include Krakrama, Minama, Angulama, Sangama, Omekwe-Tariama and Omekwe-Ama.
The project is expected to ease movement within and beyond the Central Group area, while providing residents with a more convenient means of transportation for their daily activities.
For decades, transportation difficulties have posed significant challenges to several Kalabari communities, making movement between settlements both cumbersome and expensive. These challenges have also affected commercial activities, social interactions and access to essential services.
The introduction of the mass transit scheme is therefore expected to provide relief to residents, strengthen inter-community connections and stimulate economic activities across the benefiting communities.
Beyond improving mobility, the initiative could contribute to community development by facilitating the movement of people and goods, supporting local businesses and enhancing social and economic interactions within the Kalabari area.
As the scheme gets underway, attention will be focused on its implementation, accessibility and sustainability, as well as its capacity to deliver lasting transportation benefits to the target communities.
The initiative represents a potentially significant step towards addressing transportation challenges and promoting grassroots development across the Kalabari Kingdom.
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